Lionel Messi has
been named in Argentina’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers hours after
reversing his decision to retire from
international football.
been named in Argentina’s squad for their World Cup qualifiers hours after
reversing his decision to retire from
international football.
The Barcelona
playmaker announced he loves Argentina “too much” to walk away from the national
team, having announced his international career was over following their
penalty shootout loss to Chile in the Copa América final in June.
playmaker announced he loves Argentina “too much” to walk away from the national
team, having announced his international career was over following their
penalty shootout loss to Chile in the Copa América final in June.
Following talks
with the new Argentina coach, Edgardo Bauza, Messi’s name was included in the
squad to face Uruguay and Venezuela next month.
with the new Argentina coach, Edgardo Bauza, Messi’s name was included in the
squad to face Uruguay and Venezuela next month.
Messi, Argentina’s
captain and record goalscorer with 55, said in a statement reproduced by the
Argentinian newspaper La Nación: “I see there are many problems in Argentinian
football and I don’t intend to create another one. I don’t want to cause any
damage, I’ve always tried to do just the opposite, to help all that I can.
captain and record goalscorer with 55, said in a statement reproduced by the
Argentinian newspaper La Nación: “I see there are many problems in Argentinian
football and I don’t intend to create another one. I don’t want to cause any
damage, I’ve always tried to do just the opposite, to help all that I can.
“We need to fix
many things in Argentinian football, but I prefer to do this from inside and
not criticise from outside.”
many things in Argentinian football, but I prefer to do this from inside and
not criticise from outside.”
Messi said he was
quitting international football after missing a penalty in the Copa América
final shoot-out in New Jersey. That would have left Messi – one of the most
decorated players in history at club level with Barcelona – having never won a
major trophy with Argentina.
quitting international football after missing a penalty in the Copa América
final shoot-out in New Jersey. That would have left Messi – one of the most
decorated players in history at club level with Barcelona – having never won a
major trophy with Argentina.
As well as June’s
defeat to Chile, the world player of the year also tasted defeat in the 2007
and 2015 Copa América finals, as well as in the World Cup final in 2014.
defeat to Chile, the world player of the year also tasted defeat in the 2007
and 2015 Copa América finals, as well as in the World Cup final in 2014.
He added: “Many
things went through my head the day of the last final and I seriously thought
of leaving, but I love this country and this shirt too much. I’m grateful to
all the people who wanted me to continue playing with Argentina, hopefully we
can give them something to cheer about soon.”
things went through my head the day of the last final and I seriously thought
of leaving, but I love this country and this shirt too much. I’m grateful to
all the people who wanted me to continue playing with Argentina, hopefully we
can give them something to cheer about soon.”
Argentina face
Uruguay at home on 1 September and Venezuela away on 6 September.
Uruguay at home on 1 September and Venezuela away on 6 September.
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